Chronicle Article 24 March 2000

Writing this column on a Wednesday evening always means that things often change dramatically down at the Deva before the Chronicle goes on sale. On occasions only judicious editing by the newspaper to change the tense of a comment or even make it read the opposite has saved this column from embarrassment. So no predictions tonight.

With transfer deadline coming well after submission of the article it could be that there will be more players added or removed from the thirty-seven (I think) who have already appeared for the first team (inc. substitutes). Yet, despite this huge number and the massive player turnover during the past twelve months, by my reckoning we have had a net increase of only two players since last year's deadline, including loans and non-contract players.

Over the year, twenty-one players have come in, nineteen have left, (including eleven who have come and gone), and fourteen have been with us throughout. We started the season with a lot of youngsters, introduced the Smith signings, and now have the Atkins team. In addition we have had a Director of Football, two managers and numerous coaches. Is it any wonder that we are at the bottom?

Tuesday was definitely disappointing, but again the media gave us coverage. This time it was BBC Choice, which I had never before heard of, who decided to do a piece on the Great Escape 2000 (and its T-shirt) for their Saturday evening programme. Over the past two years we must have had more coverage than any other Nationwide league club apart from Man City. Why? Because we are newsworthy. Chester City supporters must be asking themselves what they have done to deserve the last two seasons. As if any required penances weren't adequately served by the Macclesfield travellers.

Despite Tuesday's prophets of doom, whilst we still have a mathematical chance of staying up we must retain faith. There are twenty-four points to play for and Carlisle and Shrewsbury aren't going to win every game. As May 6th looms, we fervently hope that it will end in celebration rather than despair, and that we get a charitable ref. or two along the way. When we were relegated into this division, I think we got off the bottom for just about the first time during the whole season with one game to go. If it's the last game this time, it will do. If there was ever a time to get right behind the lads it is now. We may regret things we haven't done.

We will continue to push the Great Escape and as announced previously, fares on the supporters' buses starting with Halifax will be subsidised by 50% by the ISA. Bookings can be made at the ISA members meeting at the Royal Mail Club on Monday, or via Barry Hipkiss. Guest speaker will be Neil Turner.

Finally, congratulations to the ISA sponsored Chester City Ladies team who will meet Tranmere Rovers in the Final of the Cheshire Ladies Challenge Shield.

Les Smith ISA chairman

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